Mentoring Foster Youth in the LAUSD Beyond the Bell Branch Beyond the Bell (BTB) works with community partners throughout Los Angeles to bring a variety of enrichment services to the youth of LAUSD. One of those community partners is Children Uniting Nations (CUN), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality mentoring relationships for youth in foster care by recruiting, training and supporting volunteer mentors. Because many youth in foster care lack the emotional support, encouragement and stability of a family, they are exposed to additional risk factors, therefore, making mentoring relationships especially important. The goal of the partnership is to facilitate the implementation of the Academic Mentoring Program into identified LAUSD Middle Schools. Currently the program is in operation at seven schools: Foshay Learning Center ; John Muir, Virgil, Gompers, Markham, Bethune and Drew. The Academic Mentoring Program was designed to provide the student with additional classroom support while also building self-esteem, life skills and confidence, all while improving the educational outcomes of our youth in at-risk communities. School-based mentoring is located on site and is conducted throughout the week during the school day, after school and/or on Saturday mornings. Prior to the start of the mentoring relationship, the youth’s most recent California Standardized Test (CST) scores are reviewed to determine the student’s level of achievement in both Math and Language Arts. Additionally, the selected youth will be given a Self-Esteem Evaluation and will complete the STAR or COMPASS Learning testing to monitor their Math and Language Arts development. The student’s teachers will also fill out observation forms to highlight the academic, social and behavioral needs of the students. The mentor, in conjunction with the youth’s teachers, counselors, school administrators and program staff, will work to ensure that the student receives the proper ongoing academic support. In addition to the 1-3 hours per week that the mentor spends with the youth in the academic setting, CUN also sponsors other activities for mentor/mentee matches to participate in. These activities include: field trips to college campuses and other educational venues; workshops and; recognition ceremonies, just to name a few. These activities are intended to boost the youth’s academic achievement by building a meaningful relationship and providing ongoing encouragement and academic support. Prospective mentors must submit to CUN’s rigorous mentor screening process before being matched with a student. The following are the Mentor Requirements for acceptance into the program: - 1 Academic Year Commitment, 1-3 hours per week - 18 years or older - Complete an Application and Participate in a Face to Face Interview - Clear Criminal Background Check - Provide a Valid California Driver’s License, DMV Record and TB - Test Results - Sign an Oath of Confidentiality - Attend Orientation and Training For more information about the BTB-CUN Academic Mentoring Program , contact the School Volunteer Program at 213 241-6900.		EN ESPAÑOL
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